Agape Kids Room
The Agape Kids Room, a project of the Leadership Huntsville/Madison County Class 20 Judicial/Law Enforcement Group provides a child-friendly waiting room in the Madison County Courthouse, and was placed into operation in September 2007. This project was the culmination of tremendous effort and generosity, and the enthusiastic support of the Madison County Commission and its Chairman, Mike Gillespie.
Following consultations with numerous judicial and law enforcement leaders, the Leadership Group selected a project suggested by Judge Billy Bell, Presiding Circuit Court Judge in Madison County. Judge Bell expressed the need for a waiting room dedicated for children who may be testifying in civil, divorce/family, and criminal courts, and thus, the Agape Kids Room was conceived. According to Judge Bell, "Those children who are unfortunate to be involved in a case before our courts will now have a sanctuary- a truly happy and peaceful place to wait, rather than having to sit out in the hall, with members of both sides of the child's family, or even worst, with the person who is accused of abusing or mistreating them, sitting in the hall with them. What a wonderful legacy to leave to the children of Madison County."
The brightly colored Agape Kids Room provides a unique space within the courthouse and is drawing the attention of judicial leaders throughout the state and country. In addition to providing a dedicated waiting area for children, the room is outfitted with a computer, television/DVD player, games, toys, comfortable child-friendly furniture, and child-friendly restrooms.
The Leadership Huntsville/Madison County Class 20 Judicial/Law Enforcement Group members were:
- Joyce Dye, Redstone Federal Credit Union
- Dr. James Gilbert, Tennessee Valley Pediatric Surgery Center
- Lynda Hall, Madison County Tax Collector
- Chris Newlin, National Children's Advocacy Center
- Mark Umansky, US Army AMRDEC
- Judge Sybil Cleveland, Advisor
Group leader, Chris Newlin, shared "this project is the result of a focused and dedicated effort, supported by the overwhelming generosity of numerous individuals and companies in our community. As the final preparations for the Agape Kids Room were being made, Congressman Bud Cramer, former Madison County District Attorney visited the project and stated, "The Agape Kids Room is an excellent addition to the Madison County Courthouse. Testifying before a judge and jury can be unnerving for anyone in any circumstance. This situation is especially difficult for a young child who is testifying as an eyewitness against a loved one or family friend. I commend this year's Leadership class for taking steps to establish a child-friendly waiting room that will help ease the amount of stress this situation can have on our community's children."